Molecular Biology Week 7. Flashcards
Describe the central dogma of molecular biology?
DNA to mRNA to proteins.
Trc Trl
Describe Trc; translation:
This makes messenger RNA of the information in gene that codes for protein.
Describe Trl; transcription:
This is the conversion of RNA message into protein at the ribosome.
Is there a difference in the central dogma of molecular biology between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
There is additional steps in eukaryotes; RNA processing and RNA transport.
Where does trc and trl happen in bacteria?
In the cytoplasm.
Where does trc and trl take place in eukaryotes?
Trc and RNA processing occur in the nucleus, trl occurs in the cytosol.
What is a gene?
a gene is composed of specific base sequences organised in a way that allows DNA to be transcribed.
What are the three components of a gene?
promoter, terminator and other regulatory sequences.
What is a DNA relative to polypeptides ?
DNA is an informational storage unit that must be accessed to make the polypeptides of an organism.
What are genes relative to the proteins of the cell and mRNA?
Genes are structural and code for proteins of the cell and mRNA is made from these during trc.
What do some genes have that allows them to transfer and ribosomal RNA?
Some genes have an RNA product.
What attracts the RNA polymerase?
The promoter structure.
What are the (2) core promoter elements?
-10 (Pribnow box) and -35 bases before trc start site.
What can make the promoting effect of the sequences stronger?
The more closely the promoter resemble the -10 pribnow box and -35 bases before the trc start site.
What does RNA polymerase catalyse?
Trc.
What are the multi-subunit (5) of the enzyme RNA polymerase?
Alpha 2, beta, beta prime, omega and sigma. ABBOT
What does subunit (1) alpha 2 of the core enzyme RNA polymerase do?
The two alpha subunits assemble the enzyme and bind regulatory factors.
What does the subunit (2) beta of the core enzyme RNA polymerase do?
This has the polymerase activity (catalyses the synthesis of RNA
What does the subunit (3) beta prime of the core enzyme RNA polymerase do?
Binds to DNA (nonspecifically)
What does the subunit (4) omega core enzyme RNA polymerase do?
The omega subunit restores denatured RNA polymerase to its functional form in vitro. It has been observed to offer a protective function to the B’ subunit. Promotes enzyme assembly.
What are the two roles of the additional factor involved in the RNA polymerase holoenzyme? The sigma subunit (5)
The role of the sigma enzyme is to
1. Reduce the affinity of enzyme for non-specific DNA. (increase specificity)
2. Increase affinity for promoter sites.
(directs enzyme to the appropriate trc start)
What happens to the sigma (5) factor after the promoter has been bound?
The sigma factor dissociates from the core enzyme.
Name the three complex multi-subunit eukaryotic RNA polymerase types? How are they characterized?
They are characterized by how they synthesise.
- RNA polymerase I
- RNA polymerase II
- RNA polymerase III
What is the most studied type of RNA polymerase?
Type II, this synthesises the precursors of mRNAs. A range of transcription factors are required for its binding to promoters.
What does the Type I of RNA polymerase synthesise?
A pre rRNA 45S.
What does the third type of RNA polymerase synthesise?
tRNAs, 5S rRNA and other small RNAs found in the nucleus and the cytosol.
What is the difference in the process of transcription between DNA and RNA.
Transcription follows the same base pairing rules as DNA replication to make RNA transcripts from the genes of the cells. However, uracil replaces thymine in the transcript that is produced.
What are the three steps in transcription?
- Initiation
- Elongation
- Termination
Describe the first step in transcription; initiation?
Prokaryotes; RNA polymerase binds non-specifically to DNA. It is the sigma (5) that allows the enzyme to scan for promoter sites on the DNA.
What is the initial binding between the polymerase and a promoter referred to as?
A closed promoter complex. The DNA is not unwound.
What happens after the closed-promoter complex is bound?
The polymerase then unwinds approx. 12 bases of DNA around the initiation site to from an open-promoter in which single stranded DNA is available as a template for transcription.
What is transcription initiated by?
The joining of two free NTPs, after the addition of about the first 10 nucleotides, sigma (5) is released from the polymerase which is then moved along the template.
Is transcription more complex in eukaryotes in comparison to prokaryotes?
Yes.
Is RNA polymerase directly involved the recognition of the core promoter sequences?
No it does not directly recognise.
What mediates the binding of RNA polymerase forming a transcription initiation complex?
Transcription factors.
Can RNAP proofread?
Yes
How does RNAP facilitate elongation of the RNA?
P unwinds the template DNA ahead of it and rewinds the DNA behind it, maintaining an unwound region of about 17 bp in the region of transcription.
During elongation, the template strand of DNA is copied to RNA using complementary base pairing and insertion of the appropriate ——?
Ribonucleotides.